According to ITV1 figures, the first show of the fifth series drew a peak audience of 10.9million on Saturday – 1.3million down on last year’s opening night.

But is it so bad? In 2001, the Independent told us:

The first episode in the new series of Britain’s Got Talent drew a record peak audience of 12.2 million viewers, ITV said. The figure – which equated to a 49 per cent audience share on Saturday night – was the highest for a launch episode of the show.

Those opening night numbers:

2007: 5.20m
2008: 8.8m
2009: 10.52m
2010: 12.2m
2011: 10.9m

Anorak is not here to champion BGT, but is recording the second highest audience opening night figures in its admittedly short history a slump?If Cable wants to watch a Saturday night show dying on its feet, she should tune into Sing If You Can:

“Sing If You Can offers viewers a chance to see celebrities well and truly out of their comfort zone. During the series, singer and actor Ray Quinn will make his debut as a rapper!”